Learning Patience

Today, my dog barked.
Only a few dozen separate times throughout the day after being rebuked each time.
She calms down almost immediately. 
But it's just the fact that I have to remind her not to do it in the first place.
We've been spoiled with a dog who's forgotten he has vocal cords, until we got white bear.
Here's our silent black bear.


My point is, today I lost it with white bear. 
I'm ashamed.
Because I was just thinking about the Duggar family
--the family that is featured on the TLC show 19 kids and Counting.
I was thinking how I desperately desire to be a calm mother, a loving mother and a Mommy who doesn't let things get under her skin.
Not but 5 seconds later I find myself yelling and physically pushing her to the floor. 

Patience is a virtue. 

I just don't have it.
It is my prayer that God will give me patience 
so that I can be a better wife, a stronger mom, and more like Christ.

I looked up a few verses, and read a few passages on how God loves us, 
and how his patience is always overflowing.

Romans 15:4 "For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope. 15:5 Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another3 in accordance with Christ Jesus, 15:6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Netbible.org)

The Bible gives us clear instruction that we are called to be patient, and tells us how to ask God for it!
We are meant to live in harmony with our family....
that includes pets :)
What a challenge, though! Can there still be solid leadership without anger, yelling, quick corrections--that are sometimes harsh?
The Bible says yes.

1 Corinthians 13:4 "Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. 13:5 It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. 13:6 It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. 13:7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (Netbible.org)

I believe that the Bible teaches that true love, and wise leadership co-exist.

Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel50 is like letting out water;51
stop it before strife breaks out!52(Netbible.org)


Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers,7 do not provoke your children to anger,8 but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Netbible.org)
*FYI: The term "fathers" was translated from the Hebrew word "
οἱ πατέρες " 
which can be used to refer to both male and female parents.  Got to love the internet.


Practical Example of all these Bible verses: Allowing myself to take a deep breath before responding to white bear's bark. Even if my motive is to train her not to wake the baby from a nap...she can learn in a loving way. I don't want  her to fear me, but respect us and obey the rules we give her.

Oh, the prayers of a future mom...are many.
But God has been preparing me for a while now.
Thank you, White Bear & Black Bear. :)




Bye-Bye for now!
...from the 6 of us.
Me, baby, Mason, White bear, Black bear, and Genesis the cat.


Be Blessed!
 The DIY Wifey,
 

1 comment:

Jillian said...

Brittany also know that Bryson sleeps through all of his grandparents dogs barking and he isn't around them everyday. And I vacuumed in his room by his crib during his nap today and it didn't phase him. When they are little they sleep through everything. So have faith that the little one will sleep even through somethings that will surprise you. <3 you!!